By: Christine M. Riley
Now is the time school districts are finalizing summer services, also known as Extended Year Services (ESY). Has your child been invited to participate?
ESY provides students with disabilities special education, and in some cases related services, over the summer months. The purposes are to prevent regression and provide special education students a Free and Appropriate Public Education.
Other academic offerings, such as summer school, remedial classes and enrichment, are different, and do not fulfill ESY requirements.
If your child has been identified as a student requiring summer services, you may choose whether or not to accept the services. Either way, it is imperative to communicate your decision with the school or your advocate.
If you DO plan on utilizing those services, complete and return any forms the district has sent and touch base with them to confirm dates, times and locations. If anything is different from what is contained on your child’s service delivery grid, you should contact the school, or your advocate.
Toward the end of summer services, be sure to ask the service providers to draft a written summary of what your child completed over the time period.
If you have decided NOT to participate in summer services, we recommend sending a letter to the district, politely waiving the services. Much like with a party invitation, an RSVP is important.
If you have questions about summer services, or believe your child should be included and is not, please contact us via phone or email as soon as possible. We can assist you in preparing relevant information and communicating with the school.
We wish all of our clients and friends a sunshine-filled and stress-free summer!
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